Canwest and Canada.com launch new group blog (en francais)

Update: Sorry, forgot to check all my links before posting. The Canadian Voices links works properly now.

Looks like I wasn't too far off the mark the other day when I was talking about Canada.com's Voices forum and the whole community blog thing. I didn't get it exactly right but...

Canadian Voices http://community.canada.com/canadianvoices
What makes us tick as Canadians, and what gets us ticked off? Better yet, why?

Get a unique perspective on local and national issues from some of Canada's most talented up-and-coming writers. In this blog, they'll tackle issues that matter to their communities and explain why those issues have national resonance.

This is meant to be a two-way conversation. We want to engage - and maybe even enrage - you, but above all, we want you to think, respond and post your own point of view. Read what our Canadian voices have to say - and then share your own Canadian voice with us.

You have to register in order to comment on the blog. Numerous formating options are available along with smilies, links and surprisingly - attachments. (up to 3 per comment are showing). I tested a .jpg pic and a .pdf file and both worked no problem. Sorry for the double post - testing. Apparently you can edit your post for 30 minutes following initial posting, but I missed the edit button which is supposed to appear immediately after posting. You can subscribe to each post and review through a message centre on the site or opt for email notificaiton of new posts.

The blog is an implementation of software called Web Crossing. You can view the editor capabilities here. Permalinks are present, no trackbacks and no RSS available.

I haven't found an actual menu item for the blog on the Canada.com site as yet. Here's a list of the bloggers participating in the blog.

Ethan Baron - Vancouver

Mike Devlin - Victoria

Chantal Eustace - Kitsilano

Jason Fekete - Calgary

Janet French - Saskatoon

Jordana Huber - Toronto

Andrew Mayeda - Ottawa

Donald McArthur - Windsor

John MacFarlane - Montreal

Craig Ferguson - Halifax, I think.

The article in today's Windsor Star said 10 bloggers but the site only lists 9 with pics and profiles. Ferguson has a blog on today's topic - the Liberal Leadership race, so I'm assuming he's in.

With no apparent moderation and file uploading, this venture bears watching. This certainly represents one of the most open blogs on any Canadian paper. Hopefully the trolls don't ruin it by months end.